Grandfather - Sgt JD MANN, 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry: POW

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by J Baker, Jan 19, 2025.

  1. J Baker

    J Baker New Member

    Hi, I'm new on the forum with the aim of researching the experiences of my Grandfather Sgt JD Mann, 2nd Northants Yeomanry. He was captured in the vicinity of La Bistiere on 4 August '44. Can anyone advise how best to determine which Squadron/Troop he was in? I will be visiting the area from New Zealand in July '25, also hoping to visit the museum in Northampton and the Tank Museum with the aim of finding what I can.
     
  2. J Baker

    J Baker New Member

    Hi, I'm new on the forum with the aim of researching the experiences of my Grandfather Sgt JD Mann, 2nd Northants Yeomanry. He was captured in the vicinity of La Bistiere on 4 August '44. Can anyone advise how best to determine which Squadron/Troop he was in? I will be visiting the area from New Zealand in July '25, also hoping to visit the museum in Northampton and the Tank Museum with the aim of finding what I can. Many thanks, any help appreciated.
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Jan 20, 2025
  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,


    Welcome to the forum.


    In respect of his POW experience you ought to apply to Swiss Red Cross 19th May 2025 for a copy of the information held in their files via this link -


    Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or Second World War: Quarterly limit reached


    Check the site promptly at the given opening time and a pop up online application form will be visible. Complete and submit the form speedily as the application window can close within 90 minutes due to the limit being reached.


    It’s a free service and you can expect a reply by email within 3 months so you may be lucky and receive an update before your UK trip. You may be lucky and get a copy of the capture card postcard he completed on arrival at his first camp. The Red Cross document you will receive should list all the main camps where he was detained but not usually the work camps.

    Steve
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  5. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Do you have a full name, date of birth and a location where he may have been living just after the war?
     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Just did an online search with: "2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry" site:ww2talk.com and a good number of threads are id'd.

    I dropped the 'nd' and a small er number are id'd: "2 Northamptonshire Yeomanry" site:ww2talk.com

    Glancing at the results this thread stood out as it has War Diaries (WD) for August 1944: War diary 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry
     
  7. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Welcome aboard,

    It always helps to your subject's full name and his Service Number. Adding his DoB and DoD may help research. A pre-war address can sometimes help identify the subject from genealogy sites for example. Their parents details and any marriage – as some certificates show the subject’s service number. A marriage cert. can be ordered online from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

    I have checked and neither your subject’s name or number have appeared here before.

    We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait.

    The forum's search option is very simple, but offers a route to identify a location for example.

    Searching the National Archives for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity.

    Some research tips next via PM and good luck.
     

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